Getting Started With Natural Skin Care
If you have been using commercial or mass produced skincare for a long time, possibly your whole life, there are a few considerations to be aware of when switching over to a chemical free regimen. Our skin is in constant regrowth, with several layers originating from within, ever pushing new cells outward and letting go of old, dead skin cells. The top few layers create our ‘acid mantel’, the layers that produce sebum (oil) as well as other functions. When you hear of PH balance in the skin, this is where it matters. Over washing, over exfoliating, using acidic or very alkaline products (toner, salicylic acids, sunscreens), and the application of products containing petroleums and other plastics/chemicals disrupt this balance and over time create skin layers adapted to this assault. Every part of our bodies also have a unique microbiome that becomes disrupted and dysfunctional by these products as well.
It is important to realize that you may experience an adjustment period while your skin detoxifies chemicals built up over years when you switch over to clean skin care. The severity of your personal detox period will depend on your own unique biology, skin make-up, age, years of commercial product use, environment, water quality, underlying health issues, medications, and especially diet. Some people experience an immediate relief from skin issues and glowing turnaround, and yet others may experience severe breakouts or inflammation as the many layers of skin grow outward and find balance again. You can support the process with a clean diet, lots of clean water, nourishing herbal and green teas, and gentle periodic clay skin masks to draw out toxins.
It generally takes about 4 months for your skin to complete a turnover, meaning your transition period could take this long. Typically it doesn’t, but being aware of the framework can be helpful. Be patient, nurture and love your skin when transitioning skincare. Sweat as much as you can, drink water, make sure you’re getting all needed nutrients to support your skin and body.
The following simple recipe can be easily put together in a few minutes and applied safely to face for breakouts, armpits for detox/odor issues while transitioning to natural deodorant, and even hair to help eliminate parabens and silicones if you’re having a ‘funky’ transition period with clean hair care:
1 part bentonite clay (any cosmetic clay will work here as long as it is from a reputable source, I like bentonite but if you have something else on hand, use it! Bentonite can be easily found at most grocery stores and certainly health food stores have them)
1 part apple cider vinegar (if you don’t have ACV on hand and want to do this NOW, use water or cooled green tea!)
Apply as a paste, let dry, and gently clean off with warm water and a washcloth. Do this once or twice a week as your skin tolerates. Don’t overdo masks, exfoliation, washing and scrubbing in general. Let your skin breathe and rest, balancing it’s own sebum profile. Certainly wash off any make-up at the end of the day, and you may not even need to wash your face in the morning. Play with what works for YOUR skin, trusting it’s own unique wisdom and needs, realizing that our skin knows how to balance and care for itself if given all the right nutrients and considerations.
All of this said, any one ingredient, tallow included, isn’t necessarily for everyone. We are all beautifully unique in our physiological make-up and it’s perfectly ok if another product works better. Find what works well with your skin and run with it, life is an experiment!
A note on ph balanced soaps...
A lot of awareness around ph balanced soaps and cosmetics has developed over the last few years, with a few major brands claiming ph balanced soap. By it’s very nature, soap has a ph of 8-11, with the median of 9-10 being typical. There is simply no way around this, it is the chemical nature of soap. Products achieving a ph of 4-6 have typically done so by much intervention, adding to the chemical ingredients list and possibly reducing the cleaning power. Human skin has a slightly acidic mantel at 4-6, this ph maintains the microbiome and skin oils that protect our vulnerable skin. All evidence suggests that even though soaps typically alkalinize our ph with washing, this bounces back in skin pretty quickly. Your skin has recovered it’s normal ph within about 30 minutes with no damage done. If ph is a larger concern for you, or you have super sensitive skin, consider a moisturizer directly after washing to maintain that balance. Tallow is one of the most bioidentical and welcomed moisturizers for human skin and an ideal one for drier climates. Tallow absorbs quickly and cleanly if you live in a more humid climate as well, making it an excellent choice for nearly everyone. Tallow is rated a 0-2 on comedogenic scale, meaning it is unlikely clog pores and as such is safe for most acne-prone skin. It could actually help balance acne-prone skin by providing nutrients and balancing oil production for many.
"Wow! A wonderful, soothing, healing balm for the skin! ...excellent for any type of skin, but especially dry, irritated skin...my favorite is at night, with it's nutritive, nourishing properties, waking up to soft, supple, healthy skin. Hands down the best!...I am now recommending to my patients." -Troy
"Magnolia Crow products are AMAZING! My wife, son, and I all use them, I love the Mountain Zen Whipped Tallow Balm, Sun Stick, and Shampoo bars and they are all fabulous! I'm so glad I found Magnolia Crow, a much better product and value than my old brand." -Mike